ICE uses facial recognition, social media monitoring and Palantir tools in Minneapolis

Federal immigration agents in and around Minneapolis have been using facial recognition, social media monitoring, cellphone tools and a Palantir-built database during a recent crackdown, The New York Times reported on Jan. 30, 2026. The Times recounts that on the morning of Jan. 10 an ICE agent told Nicole Cleland he had facial recognition and that his body camera was on; Ms.

Cleland was one of at least seven American citizens told this month that they were being recorded with facial recognition, according to local activists and videos reviewed by The Times. A department spokeswoman said the agency would not detail its methods. Current and former Homeland Security officials told The Times that ICE is using two facial recognition programs in Minnesota, including Clearview AI and a newer program called Mobile Fortify, and that Mobile Fortify was visible in photographs taken by local activists.

The officials also said agents are using cellphone and social media tools that can collect scraped data and, in one case, allow remote access to phones. The report says agents are tapping into a Palantir-built database that combines government and commercial data to identify real-time locations of people pursued; public procurement records show the department awarded Palantir a nearly $30 million contract in April to build an AI-backed system with a prototype due Sept.

25, and two current Homeland Security officials said the agency had begun using the system.

ice facial recognition use, clearview ai in minneapolis, mobile fortify app, palantir built database, palantir $30 million contract, social media monitoring tools, paragon phone hacking, penlink social media, cellphone surveillance tools, minneapolis protest tracking, nicole cleland encounter, homeland security procurement